This is the story of two young men who heard what the oracle had to say about their future, however their individual disposition to what they heard from the gods went a long way in re-shaping their lives.

Apanisile and Ori-ade were born in the same town called Tanimola. They were of the same age group. When both of them reached the age of 18, their parents consulted the Ifa oracle with the sole intention of knowing what they would become in the near future. The Ifa priest told the parents of Apanisile that their son was going to die a pauper no matter how hard he may try. The Ifa oracle treated Ori-ade fairly well in his own case as his parents heard from the priest that their son was destined to become the king of the town. Both families took their plight in good faith and went back to their various homes.

Apanisile refused to accept the evil report from the mouth of the gods. He said to himself, "I refuse to die a pauper." He told his parents that he was going to leave the town and seek his fortune in another town. He asked for his parents' blessings and went to Ayegbege - a town about 90 km away. He started a new life in this town as a farmer and within a period of 10 years he had become a very rich, influential figure in the town.

On the other hand, Ori-ade never worked. He got carrried away by what the oracle said that he was going to be king. He was always drinking himself to a stupor. After a period of 12 years that Apanisile left his hometown, a famine broke out in the land and the reigning king died. The kingmakers met  in order to choose a new king. No one among them was willing to back the candidature of Ori-ade because he was a pauper. One of them told them what he heard about Apanisile and how he had become prosperous as a farmer. They concluded among themselves that he must be sent for. When he came they told him their decision that he was to be installed as king.

Before I end this piece, I want you to understand the message I am trying to pass across to you through this story. As this year is rounding up, I want you to have a God-given vision for the year 2009. You need The Lord God in order to succeed in the coming year. You also need to work out your dream, you cannot afford to be lazy. You must work out your visions until they become flesh and blood, ie. until they become real to you. You can refuse whatever the enemy has said concerning your life; it's your inalienable right to do so.

Finally, you must remember that it is what God says that is the final. Refuse what the devil is saying. Find out what God has to say about your situation, your family, your finances etc. There was a time I had to seek the face of God to hear what I needed to do about my job, and he answered me.

You can hear God's voice today. I wish you a prosperous new year.